‘American Idol’s’ Crystal Bowersox to Star as Patsy Cline in Broadway’s ‘Always…Patsy Cline’

Former “American Idol” runner-up Crystal Bowersox will star in the title role of this summer’s Broadway debut of “Always… Patsy Cline.”

The musical tells the story of Patsy Cline and her most devoted fan, Louise. Bowersox announced that she would play the role to the Hollywood Reporter, and the news was confirmed on the musical’s official website. No official opening date or premiere has yet been announced.

“It’s like a lifetime achievement thing. I’m really happy about it…” she said. “I grew up listening to her music, as most of us have, and I feel a special connection to her… Sadly, she died so young that she didn’t get to experience or really enjoy [her success]. It’s a tragic story and a great play and I’m really honored to be the one they chose to play Patsy.”

The musical features 27 Cline songs, including “Crazy,” “Walking After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Sweet Dreams.”

The musical is “based on a true story about the friendship between Patsy and her most devoted fan, Louise Seger, which began when they met one night at the Esquire Ballroom outside of Houston,” according to the show’s website. “It is complete with down-home humor, true emotion and the story of a relationship that any fan would dream of having with their idol.”

Seger was a Houston housewife when she met Cline in 1961. No casting for her part has yet been announced.

In other Bowersox news, she just released the song “Dead Weight” as the first single for her upcoming sophomore album, All That for This. The album is due out March 26, and Bowersox recently spoke about the song “On Air with Ryan Seacrest.”

“This song means more to me than even I can completely comprehend,” she said. “I feel like it’s one of those tunes where the meaning will get deeper and deeper over time as you start to really live and actualize the words into your existence. It’s about knowing in your heart, that not knowing the outcome is perfectly acceptable; breathe. I’m still figuring it out, myself.”